5 Disasters That Will Definitely Happen At Your School Formal

Formal season is upon us once again, and our schools’ plans are already in motion - with late notice, they'll still pull it off. But after such a huge build-up and the disappointment from locky-D, does anything really live up to expectations?

@hannahhhbannaaa #fyp #melbourne #school #year12formal #year12 #stress #cry #kmart #kmartaustralia ♬ original sound - Aussie Comedy Legends Podcast

It’s Murphy’s Law that anything that can go wrong will, and a hundred 17 and 18 year olds packed in a tiny room is always bound to be disastrous–so one or all of the tragedies below are definitely going to happen. Trust me.

1. The Outfit Disaster

There's always that one guy who shows up in his Year 10 formal tux, but is no longer is his Year 10 self and now the whole year has to bear witness to his pants splitting on the D floor...charming.

@samanthandrew1 Aussie High School Formals be like #aussielife #formal #year12 #highschool #prom #aussiecomedy #fyp #foryou ♬ original sound - Samantha Andrew

And mark my words, whatever you do, there will always be two people in the same style. Always. Just accept it.

2. The DJ Disaster

Accept the fact now: the DJ is going to be absolutely terrible. They will ignore all requests and they will only play the very worst of the Top 40, the Macarena, and most definitely the song of Satan, ‘Thotiana'. The peak of the night will be a 90s throwback Backstreet Boys banger, and if you’re someone that jumps on their high horse about pop music, you’re gonna have to hop down and start screaming those lyrics along with everyone else. It’s the only way to combat the overwhelming atrocity. It’s a bonding experience like no other.

3. The Seating Plan Disaster

You’ve seen it with camp cabins. You’ve seen it picking teams in PE. Now get ready for it: formal seating plans. Trying to organise the tables for formal is probably one of the biggest struggles your year group will ever face. It has the power to put friendships on the rocks. Maybe there are 11 people in your group and only 10 seats at each table. Maybe you’ll get sat next to your mortal high school enemy. There’s no winning with this one.

4. The Date Disaster

You really want to ask that super beautiful, super popular girl to formal. Surprisingly she accepts, and she’s all about the corsage your mum bought for her from Pearson’s, but when you get there she ditches you the whole night. Or you invite someone you barely know from outside of school and then find out they’re so boring your eyes droop when they speak. Say it with me friends: you don’t need to have a date! If it’s going to be like any of the situations outlined above, you’re probably better off just going with your mates.

@woodywhit Girls vs Boys school formal preparation #school #prom #formal #girls #fyp #foryou #boys ♬ original sound - Woody Whitford

5. The Transport Disaster

You don’t want to be standing up on a bus on a regular day, but when you’re all suited up, or made up and wearing heels for the first time in your life and they’re starting to hurt already, it sucks especially bad. There’s also the question of keeping your dignity by not hiring a bright pink Hummer limo, or being dropped at the front door by your mum. And what if the limo doesn’t arrive to pres on time and you miss the formal cruise? Look, however it goes down, anything is better than the “majestic camel” a girl had to have on that one episode of Formal Wars. Yes, that happened.

No matter what - it's been a long bloody year and you deserve to celebrate a last hurrah with your mates. And P.S, you'll look amazing!

You're probably leaving high school, thinking "why did I learn pythagora's theorem but nothing about my personal finances?" - don't worry, we had the exact same thought. From spending a fortnights' wage on your formal outfit to saving long-term, FinLit has all the tips and money tricks to get your everyday finances in check. Finlit will give you the rundown on earning, spending and saving in the big world post-high school!